Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Jennifer Chait (212)788-8479
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today visited residents of Manhattan's Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home and delivered each a flower in honor of Mother's Day. The 362-resident home is run by the Archdiocese of New York and staffed by the Carmelite Sisters.
"It is wonderful to visit you today to celebrate Mother's Day -- a holiday that honors the contributions and presence of mothers in our daily lives," Mayor Giuliani said. "The first celebration in honor of mothers was held in the Spring in Ancient Greece, which paid tribute to Rhea, known as the Mother of the Gods. During the 17th century, England honored mothers on "Mothering Sunday," celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent. In the United States, Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, suggested the idea of Mother's Day in 1872. And, finally in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother's Day as a national holiday to be held on the second Sunday of May.
"Today, many celebrations of Mother's Day are held throughout the world. But, as I have often said, New York City is the Capital of the World and there is nowhere in the world to better celebrate Mother's Day than right here. I wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day," the Mayor concluded.
Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home opened in 1952 at 59th Street and has served the community in its current 71st Street location since 1969.